I have been steadily working on the SOS course, working with metronome and the Justin timer. I’d say – overall – my strumming has greatly improved to the point where I don’t focus on a pattern, I just play what “feels” right, keeping in time. By the way, I play only acoustic.
One thing I’ve learned is that that the rhythm and playing in time is far more important that I ever thought before I bought the SOS course. I started on the Justin courses – beginning to intermediate – and once focused on putting on a jam track, playing solos on electric guitar.
I then discovered I was most interested in the singer/songwriter acoustic genre, all covers.
I can play a 16th note pattern at at 60 bpm. How often do you experienced players mix in 16th note patterns in a song that you play?
Tonight, while playing a slow cover song, what I had been doing in 4/4 time, using variations of my 8th note strumming, I found that I could add tension/variety, if you want to call it that, by playing a 16th note pattern, but only parts of it.
Boiled down – do I focus on the feel, or think logically – hey, I’m going play a 16th note pattern here and there, but not hit every 1&2&3&4&, and then go back to eighth note strumming? Or do I keep my hand moving for the 16th note strumming and just leaving out hitting the strings on every beat?
I find that playing with the feel of the song is the best way. Yes sometimes I will go into 16ths if the song wants it, often at the end of a verse to bring the chorus in. The other thing to watch out for is when to play quietly so that you don’t fight with the lead solo parts.
Feel first. Always. If what you try doesn’t work, then think if what you are want to add is really called for and start again. But first, feel. . . forever. Just my $0,02.
IIRC, I had to focus on thinking logically at first…something like 'I’m going to switch from OF in the verse to pumping 8ths in the chorus - that will add some urgency". Especially when they were new strumming patterns that were not quite fully automatic for me yet.
But after doing this for a few weeks or months, I found I could go directly to a good feel…it was like I could just automatically find a good strum that fit the song, and change it up on the fly for the different sections.
If you can jump right into “strumming by feel”, congratulations…but not everyone can do that right from the beginning.
This is something that has come up for me lately while I’ve been looking at some Oasis songs. Maybe because I’m still not very practiced in 1/16th note strumming but it does feel manic to be doing it for an entire song. I’ve certainly been doing some switching in and out of 16th note patterns which I can’t decide if it’s perfectly ok, or sloppy and cheating and probably frowned on?
If it sounds good it is good. Record yourself and listen back honestly. Does what your doing sound OK? I’m not saying does it sound like Oasis, I’m saying does it sound good or does it sound out of place.
Chances are it will sound good.
I’m on Grade 2 and I’m trying to improve my strumming. I was thinking of adding a 20–30-minute strumming practice to my module 10 practice. I usually have my practice session in the afternoon. Would this additional strumming workout be something that would be beneficial?
I’d learn song to practice strumming patterns. Just practicing strumming with no content doesn’t seen like a good use of time to me. Pick song with easy patterns and let your ears be your guide.
IMHO, that’s WAY to long. I suggest adding a 5-minute practice item called “Feel Good Strumming” or “Strumming Workout” and use this time to focus on whatever part of your strumming you’d like to improve (speed, 16th note strum, percussive hits, etc.)
Hi Dana, as a beginning grade 3 student, I can sympathize. I also agree with what both @stitch and @Fast-Eddie said. The first real “strumming pattern” song I learned was What’s Up - it’s just complicated enough to be challenging yet conquerable. I still can’t sing along though (and wouldn’t do so in public even if I could. )
I’ve found I can get Justin’s strumming course on my phone music app. I’m going through that now. I think it will really help. I’m now doing five minutes of strumming practice at a different part of the day.
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